Psalms 34:5-19

⁵The faces of those who look to him will shine with joy; they will never be downcast with shame.

⁶This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me from all my troubles.

⁷The angel of the Lord stands guard over all those who honor him, keeping them safe.

⁸Taste, and you will see that the Lord is good! How happy are those who trust in his protection!

⁹Show your reverence for the Lord, you who are his holy people, for those who respect him have everything they need.

¹⁰Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who trust in the Lord have all that is good.

¹¹Children, listen to me! I will teach you how to respect the Lord.

¹²Who of you wants to live a long and happy life?

¹³Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.

¹⁴Reject what is evil, do what is good. Look for peace, and work to make it a reality.

¹⁵The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.

¹⁶The Lord sets himself against those who do evil. He will wipe out even the memory of them from the earth.

¹⁷But when his people call out for help, he hears them and rescues them from all their troubles.

¹⁸The Lord is close beside those who are broken-hearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.

¹⁹Those who do right have many problems, but the Lord solves all of them.